Three vowel diphthongs in English. What are diphthongs in English? How stop consonants are combined

Speech sounds are divided into vowels and consonants. There are 20 vowels and 24 consonants in the English language. An exhaled stream of air, encountering tense and close vocal cords on its way, brings them into a state of periodic vibration, resulting in a voice or musical tone. If a stream of air does not meet a noise-producing barrier on its path, sounds called vowels (vowels). The characteristic timbre of a vowel is determined by the volume and shape of the oral and nasal cavities, which serve as resonators.

American, English and Russian researchers of the phonetic system in English There have been repeated attempts to create a classification of vowels. The proposed classifications differed significantly from each other, since different initial principles were taken as a basis: the position of the lips and tongue, length and brevity, simple and complex structure.

Depending on the articulation stability Vowel sounds are divided into monophthongs, diphthongs and diphthongoids.

Monophthongs(monophthongs [‘mɔnәfθɔŋz]) are vowels, when pronounced, the speech organs remain motionless, the quality of the vowel is stable. There are 10 monophthongs in English: [ɪ], [e], [æ], [υ], [ɔ], [ɔ ׃], , [ə:], [ә], [ʌ].

Diphthongs- these are vowel sounds, during the articulation of which there is a smooth transition from one structure of the speech organs to another, since diphthongs consist of two elements representing one phoneme. The first element of diphthongs is called the nucleus, and the second is called the glide. The stress falls on the diphthong nucleus. There are 8 diphthongs in English: , , [ɔı], , [ıə], , [əʊ], [ʊə].

Diphthongoids(diphthongoids [‘dɪfθɔngɔɪdz]) are vowel sounds, during the articulation of which there is minimal movement of the speech organs from one sound to another, since the constituent parts of the diphthongoid are very similar in character and in the method of articulation. Diphthongoids occupy an intermediate position between monophthongs and diphthongs. There are 2 diphthongoids in English: [ɪ:], .

Thrifthongs(triphthongs ["trıfθɔŋs]) - complex vowel sounds consisting of three vowel sounds combined in one syllable. The first element of triphthongs is always under stress and is the “strongest” component, the second strongest is the third element, the middle sound, being weakest component, often dropped out in fast or casual speech. Some phoneticians believe that sounds such as triphthongs are missing from the English language because, in their opinion, triphthongs are a combination of diphthongs and a neutral sound. Therefore, they are defined as a complex sound There are five triphthongs: , [аıә], [əuə], [еıә], [ɔıә].

If we classify vowels according to the position of the bulk of the language in the oral cavity, they can be divided into:

front vowels (fully front vowels) - [ɪ:], [e], [æ], and the nuclei of diphthongs,;

vowels of the front-retracted vowels - [ɪ] and the core of diphthongs [ɪə], , ;

mixed vowels - [ə:], [ə] and the diphthong core [əu];

vowels of the back advanced vowels - [υ], [ʌ] and the core of the diphthong;

back vowels - , [ɔ׃], [ɔ] and the diphthong core [ɔɪ].

When pronouncing vowels of the first and second groups, the front part of the tongue is raised towards the alveoli and hard palate.

Mixed vowels are pronounced when the back of the tongue is evenly raised.

When pronouncing vowels of the fourth and fifth groups, the back of the back of the tongue is raised towards the soft palate.

If we characterize vowels, taking into account vertical tongue movement, i.e. to make a classification according to the degree of tongue elevation, it appears in the following form:

high vowels (close) - [ɪ:], [ɪ], [υ], [ıə], ;

mid-rise vowels (mid-open) - [e], [ə:], [ə], , [əu];

low vowels (open) - [æ], [ʌ], , [ɔ], , , [ɔı].

In each of these subclasses there are narrow and wide variations:

high rise - narrow option: , ;

wide version: [ı], [ʊ] [ıə], ;

medium rise – narrow version: [e], [ə:], [ɔ:], [əʊ];

wide version: [ə];

low rise - narrow version: [ʌ], [ɔı];

wide version: [ᴂ], , [ɔ], , .

By lip position all vowels are divided into:

rounded, or labialized (rounded): [ɔ:], [ɔ], , [υ];

unrounded, or unlabialized (unrounded): [ɪ], [ɪ:], [e], [æ], , [ə:], [ә], [ʌ].

Longitudinal (or quantitative) characteristics vowels depends on the duration of sound of their positional variants in speech. In English they differ:

long vowels: , ; [ɔ ׃], , [ə:];

short vowels: [ı], [e], [ᴂ], [ɔ], [ʊ], [ʌ], [ə].

According to the degree of tension muscles of the speech apparatus, vowels are divided into tense (all long vowels) and relaxed (all short vowels). Diphthongs can be considered semi-tense, because By the end of their utterance, muscle tension decreases.

Each vowel sound was given a corresponding number in the IPA (International Phonetic Association) transcription system. The whole system looks like this: No. 1 - , No. 2 - [ı], No. 3 - [e], No. 4 - [ᴂ], No. 5 - , No. 6 - [ɔ], No. 7 - [ɔ:], No. 8 - [ʊ], No. 9 - , No. 10 - [ʌ], No. 11 - [ə:], No. 12 - [ə], No. 13 - , No. 14 - [əʊ], No. 15 - , No. 16 - , No. 17 - [ɔı], No. 18 - [ıə], No. 19 - , No. 20 - [ʊə].

Monophthong- a vowel sound pronounced within one stressed syllable. When pronouncing a monophthong, the speech organs maintain a certain fixed position.

There are 12 monophthongs in English: [i], [u], , [e], [ə], [ə:], [ɔ], [ɔ:], [æ], [ʌ], .

On a letter it can be indicated by one letter or a combination of letters.

b u t

h er

Diphthong- a combination of two vowel elements pronounced without a pause in one stressed syllable. The first part of a diphthong is called the nucleus. The second part is called sliding.

In writing, a diphthong can be represented by one letter or a combination of letters.

b y

l ie

It is necessary to distinguish a diphthong from a digraph. A digraph is a combination of two letters within one syllable.

In English there is also a combination of three vowel elements pronounced without a pause in one stressed syllable, which is called triphthong. There are 2 triphthongs in English: and.

There are 8 diphthongs in English: , , [ɔi], , [əu], , , .

When pronouncing a diphthong, first the speech organs take the position for its first part - kernels, and then, “smoothly gliding”, move on to the second - slipping.

Diphthong

The first element, the core, the sound [e] is more open than outside the diphthong. To pronounce the nucleus, lift your tongue and slightly stretch your lips.

When pronouncing the second element, sliding [i], the tongue rises higher, and a sound intermediate between [i] and [ə] is pronounced.

Similar to the Russian "ey", in which the "y" is much stronger.

Diphthong

To pronounce the first element, the nucleus, the sound [a], bare your teeth and lower your lower jaw, placing the tip of your tongue against your lower teeth.

When pronouncing the second element, slide [i], the middle part of the tongue slides upward simultaneously with the rise of the jaw, while pronouncing a sound resembling a cross between [i] and [ə].

It looks like the Russian "ai", in which the "y" is much stronger.

Diphthong [ɔi]

When pronouncing the first element, the nucleus, lower your jaw low, place the tip of your tongue against your lower teeth, and slightly round your lips.

Sliding goes in the direction of sound [i].

It looks like the Russian "oy", in which the "y" sounds more distinct.

Diphthong

The first element, the nucleus, is similar to the sound [æ]. When pronouncing, the distance between the jaws should be quite large.

The second element, glide, is something between [u] and [ɔ]. During the slide, the jaws come somewhat closer together, the tongue rises, and the lips slightly round.

Diphthong [əu]

The first element, the nucleus, the sound [ə], is something between "o" and "e". Lower your lower jaw and stretch your lips slightly.

When pronouncing the second element, sliding [u], the jaw rises and the lips round.

Diphthong

When pronouncing the first element, core [i], the back of the tense tongue is raised high, the lips are slightly stretched.

The slide goes in the direction of the neutral [ə], while the tongue moves slightly backward.

Diphthong [ɛə]/

To pronounce the first element, the nucleus, the sound [ɛ]/[e] (different designations are found in different sources), stretch your lips into a wide smile, while touching your lower teeth with your tongue. The distance between the upper and lower teeth should be about 1 cm.

The slide goes in the direction of the sound [ʌ] and is accompanied by a lowering of the voice.

Diphthong

When pronouncing the first element, the nucleus, the tongue is in its normal position, slightly pulled back, lips slightly rounded.

The slide goes in the direction of the neutral sound [ə].

Basic principles of classification of English vowels:

• stability of pronunciation
• location of the main mass of the tongue in the oral cavity (its anterior, central or posterior part)
• elevation of the main mass of the tongue (high, middle or low position)
• tension of the vocal apparatus (degree of muscular tension of the tongue)
• longitude

Monophthongs

According to the first principle, English vowels are divided into monophthongs, diphthongs and diphthongoids. Monophthongs are vowels, during the pronunciation of which the speech organs are motionless, the quality of the vowel is stable.

Diphthongs

Diphthongs are characterized by sliding articulation, the sound quality completely changes. The organs of speech occupy a certain position for the articulation of the first stable vowel, sounding clearly and drawn-out. Then the speech organs change their structure, trying to take a different position, but not achieving it. This sliding is created in the direction of one of 3 timbres: [i], [u] and [ә] - they sound briefly and indistinctly. The first element is the diphthong core, the second is the glide.

Diphthongoids

An intermediate link between monophthongs and diphthongs. They, like diphthongs, are characterized by gliding articulation, but the degree of gliding in them is much weaker. There is no radical change in the sound quality of the vowel, which is why diphthongoids are traditionally classified as monophthongs.

There are 12 monophthongs in English: , [i], [e], [æ], [u], , , [o], , [a], , [ә], of which 2: and are diphthongoids and 8 diphthongs: , , , , [әu], , , .

Front vowels

If the bulk of the tongue is moved forward towards the front teeth (the front part of the tongue touches the lower teeth) and its middle part is curved upward, then the vowels formed in this position of the tongue are front vowels (monophthongs, [e], [æ] and the first elements of diphthongs, ).

Back vowels

Monophthongs , , [o] and the first element of the diphthong are formed when the tongue is positioned in such a way that the main mass of the tongue is pulled back and the back part is curved upward.

Rear-advanced vowels

During the articulation of monophthongs [u] and the first element, the bulk of the tongue is somewhat advanced compared to its position in the back of the oral cavity.

Central vowels

Central/mixed vowels (, [ә], [a] and the first element of the diphthong [әu]) are pronounced with the bulk of the tongue in the center of the oral cavity. At the same time, both the middle and rear parts are evenly raised.

High vowels

, [i], [u], and the first elements of diphthongs, are pronounced with the tongue in such a position that its main mass rises high in the oral cavity.

Middle vowels

[e], , [ә], and the first elements of diphthongs, [әu], are pronounced when the bulk of the tongue is located in the middle of the oral cavity, and the middle and back parts of the tongue are evenly raised.

Low vowels

[a], [æ], , [o] and the first elements of diphthongs , , are pronounced if the bulk of the tongue is located low in the oral cavity.

Tense vowels

Monophthongs can be pronounced with some muscle tension, as in the sounds , , or without tension, as in [i], [a]. The vowels , , , , are characterized as tense, the rest - as relaxed. Diphthongs count semi-tense, since by the end of their articulation the tension usually subsides. Diphthongoids are characterized by a slight increase in tension towards the end of the vowel pronunciation, since the sliding section of the diphthongoid is not at the end of the sound of the vowel, as in diphthongs, but at the beginning.

Long/short vowels

Traditionally, vowels are divided into long and short. However, the basis for distinguishing vowels is qualitative characteristics, since the actual duration of sound of historically long vowels may vary. Longitudinal position-dependent variants of vowels depend on the type of syllable, the type of syllable-final consonant, the accentual structure of the word, and its intonation design.

English Joke

Abe goes to see his boss and says, “We’re doing some heavy house-cleaning at home tomorrow for Pesach and my wife needs me to help with the attic and the garage, moving and hauling stuff.”
"We're short-handed, Abe," the boss replies. "I just can't give you the day off."
“Thanks, boss,” says Moshe, “I knew I could count on you!”

1. Vowels- no obstruction is created for the air during pronunciation. At the same time, the pressure is minimal.

2. Consonants- the throat tract narrows, completely or partially blocking the air flow. He overcomes obstacles by changing his direction in one way or another.

In writing, all sounds are displayed using phonetic transcription - a special way of transmitting sounds, in which each of them has its own written symbol. The transcription absolutely accurately conveys all the features of the sound, demonstrating longitude and stress.

It should also be noted that in English words can be in a strong or weak form. When a word is stressed, it is considered to be in the strong form. If the word is not stressed, then it, accordingly, is in a weak form. Often conjunctions, pronouns and prepositions appear in the weak form. For example, in the preposition of, the sound [ɒv] is a strong form, and the sound [əv] is a weak form. In almost all cases, the appearance of the weak form is explained by the replacement of the stressed vowel in the strong form with an unstressed [ə], but in all other cases the sound is shortened. In the transcriptions of all English textbooks, sounds are displayed in a strong form, because, knowing the strong form of a sound, you can quite easily turn it into a strong form.

It is important to know:

1. In English, sounds are never softened, but are always pronounced firmly.

2. Sounds are not doubled, for example, the word running is pronounced [ˈrʌnɪŋ].

Differences between phonetics of English and Russian languages

English, however, like every other language, has its own characteristics. To understand them, it is necessary to consider the differences between the phonetics of English and Russian:

1. In the Russian language, there is no division among vowels into short and long. In the English language there is a similar division, and replacing a long sound with a short one can lead to significant changes, even changing the meaning of the word. In phonetic transcription, long vowels are indicated by the sign [:].

2. In addition, in English, all vowels are divided into monophthongs and diphthongs. Monophthongs are called vowel sounds, the sound of which does not change throughout. For example, a bed. Diphthongs same - these are vowel sounds that consist of two parts pronounced within the same syllable. Example: - old.

3. Also in the English language there is one more feature: voiced vowels located at the end of a word or before a voiceless consonant are not deafened. In other words, they are not replaced by a voiceless vowel sound. After all, deafening sounds can change the meaning of the entire word.

4. Consonants in English are pronounced firmly, regardless of the next vowel. In the Russian language, softening is possible: for example, before the vowel sound [i] - [silence].

Articulation of sounds. Speech apparatus

In general, the articular apparatus is the same for everyone. Only the pronunciation of sounds differs, which depends on the characteristics of a particular language. The speech apparatus itself consists of the following organs:

- language;

- hard and soft palate;

- lips;

- teeth.

In addition, behind the upper teeth there are special tubercles, or alveoli. Most of the sounds in English are produced in the mouth because the tongue and lips are very mobile and their movements can be combined in a variety of ways. Just behind the alveoli is the hard palate, and the soft palate is directly at the root of the tongue.

The vocal apparatus also includes the vocal cords. For example, when creating voiceless consonants, the vocal cords are completely relaxed. When they are tense, the air passing through them causes the ligaments to vibrate, which is why we hear voiced consonants or vowels.

English intonation

In English, intonation is a complex combination of pitch, rhythm of pronunciation, phrasal stress and tempo. Also, intonation is one of the most basic means of expressing what a person says. The melody can also be different. Just as in the Russian language, the melody of the English language is divided into two main types:

1. Descending tone, which is used mainly to express categorical and complete statements. All affirmative sentences are pronounced in a descending tone. In addition, it is used in narrative and imperative speech. In English this happens especially sharply and deeply.

2. Rising tone, which is used to express the incompleteness of what is said, uncertainty and lack of categoricalness. For example, it is widely used in enumeration. It should be mentioned that the English rising tone is very different from the Russian rising tone. Indeed, in Russian sentences the tone rises at the beginning of the sentence, and in English - at the end.

A characteristic feature of the rhythm of the English language is that stressed syllables in a sentence are pronounced at approximately equal intervals of time. That is why the speed with which unstressed syllables are pronounced directly depends on the number of unstressed syllables located on both sides of the stressed syllable. If there are fewer unstressed syllables, they are pronounced much faster.

Written representation of stress and melody in English:

["] - is placed before a stressed syllable only if it is not final.

signs [↘] and [↗] - used before the final syllable as a replacement for the accent mark. An arrow pointing down indicates a lower voice in the syllable it precedes. An arrow pointing up indicates raising the voice in the final syllable and in subsequent unstressed ones. For example: ↘Tellme.

Descending tone

A falling tone in English is a smooth fall of the voice in stressed syllables (you can give an example of a ladder along which stressed syllables descend). In this case, the voice drops very sharply precisely on the last stressed syllable. If we compare it with the Russian language, here the rise in tone occurs gradually in each stressed syllable, moreover, it does not sound sharp. The English falling tone is somewhat reminiscent of command intonation in monosyllabic tones:

Halt! - Stop!

Drink! - Drink!

Falling tone (or FallingTone) is the tone of sentence completeness, affirmation and certainty. That is why it is used in the following situations:

1. At the end of exclamatory sentences. Example:

What a flash of lightning!

2. At the end of short narrative sentences. Example:

3. At the end of imperative sentences, which carry a command, prohibition or order. Example:

Don't drink this water!

4. At the end of special offers which begin with an interrogative pronoun. Example:

What is your name?

Why are you smiling?

Where is my dog?

5. In the second part of the dividing questions. This happens in cases where the narrator is confident in what was said in the first part of the sentence and does not need confirmation that he is right. Example:

Water is cold, isn't it?

6. When saying greeting. Example:

7. When highlighting an appeal in a sentence. Example:

Jack, we will see you in a day.

8. When an application at the end of a sentence is highlighted. Example:

He is my friend, a driver.

9. At the end of the subordinate clause, which is located before the main one, but only when the last sentence should be pronounced with a rising tone. Example:

When you arrive, will I see you?

Rising tone

Home distinctive feature The rising tone of English from Russian is that the first syllable is pronounced quite low, and after it there is a slow rise until the last stressed syllable. Eg:

Can you give it to me?

Are you sure you will come?

If we draw another analogy with the Russian language, then this tone is somewhat reminiscent of the intonation of a person who asks again with some degree of surprise: I’m already home. - At home? The rising tone is the tone of incompleteness, doubt, uncertainty. This is why the following are often used with a rising tone:

1. In sentences with a common subject. Example:

My teacher and I left the class-room.

2. In the case when adverbial is at the beginning of the sentence. Example:

Last week there were a lot of problems.

3. Everything homogeneous members of the sentence which are listed. This does not apply to the last member if it is the end of a sentence. Example:

I see many cars, trees, buses and benches on the street.

4. General issues, which begin with modal or auxiliary verbs and require a “Yes” or “No” answer. Example:

Have you ever been in California?

5. the last part dividing question, when the questioner wants more specific information because he is not sure of what he said in the first part. Example:

You are a student, are n't you?

6. First half of the question which involves choice. Example:

Do you like coffee or tea?

7. An imperative sentence, which expresses a polite request. Example:

Will you give me our telephone?

8. Subordinate clause, which comes before the main clause. Example:

As soon as I come back home, I will call you.

9. Words of gratitude or farewell; also the phrase all right. Example:

It should be remembered that if a phrase is pronounced with a descending tone, then it is perceived as threat.

Descending-rising tone

In English speech, the falling-rising tone is used to demonstrate various emotions, from objection to doubt. Rise and fall happens:

Within the same word.

Within two adjacent syllables.

Within two syllables, between which there is one (or more) unstressed syllables.

Conventionally, our vocal range can be represented as two horizontal parallel lines. If we pronounce something in a descending-rising tone, then our voice first of all decreases to its lowest value and then gradually rises. However, it does not reach the maximum value. If we compare this tone with the Russian language, then the intonation of the phrase: “But I won’t come!” is approximately the same.

In addition to confirming various facts, the descending-ascending tone sometimes carries a certain subtext. This happens in the following cases:

1. When clarification.

I think he's a teacher.

2. When friendly weak objection:

I "m affraid you are wrong.

3. During assumptions which is being questioned.

What color was that bus? It could be white.

4. With contrast and juxtaposition.

There are a lot of pencils, but not pens.

Types of stress

There are three types of stress in English.

Word stress- highlighting a separate syllable in a word. IN English transcription verbal stress is indicated by a special sign [‘], which is placed before the syllable under stress.

Phrase stress call the stronger reproduction of individual words of a sentence in comparison with other words. Often only significant words fall under this stress:

Nouns;

Adverbs;

Interrogative pronouns;

Demonstrative pronouns;

Nouns;

Semantic verbs.

And possessive and personal pronouns and all function words, as a rule, cannot be stressed.

And finally logical stress. There are times when it becomes necessary to highlight a particular word in a sentence that seems most important to the person speaking. It is in this case that those words that are normally unstressed may fall under stress, and some significant words may lose phrasal stress.

Word stress

Word stress is the emphasis on one or more syllables within one word. At the same time, the pronunciation of the stressed syllable is more energetic, the muscles are more tense. Word stress is one of the most important parts of a word because it helps differentiate grammatical forms from each other. In addition, in English, word stress can be used to distinguish one part of speech from another. Example:

`export is a noun meaning "export";

To ex`port is already a verb meaning to export.

Another distinctive feature of the English language is that the stress in a word is placed before the stressed syllable, and not on the vowel sound, as in the Russian language. Words that have four or five syllables can have two or even three stresses at once. In this case, one of them will still be the main one and will be indicated by an accent sign from above, and all minor ones will be indicated by the same accent sign, but only from below. Example:

Demon`stration - display, demonstration.

Cases of changes in word stress

In English, all words that consist of three or more syllables necessarily have two equivalent stresses. In addition, compound adjectives, verbs with adverbs, and many compound nouns can also have two accents.

Also, some numerals can have two stresses (meaning numerals from thirteen to nineteen). One stress will fall on the first syllable, and the second will fall on the suffix teen.

Often words that have two stresses can lose one of them under the influence of neighboring words. For example, if there is a stressed word before it, then only the second stress will remain.

My number is eighteen.

But if a word with two stresses is followed by a stressed word, then the first of them loses the second stress.

She has sixteen pens.

Word stress in words with a separable prefix

Sometimes in English the formation of words occurs with the help of prefixes, which change the semantic meaning of the word, although they do not change its belonging to one or another part of speech. Each of the consoles presented below has its own eigenvalue. Therefore, words with similar prefixes can have two meanings that are equivalent to each other: one of them is in the word itself, and the other is in the word with the prefix.

The most commonly used English prefixes are:

1. Prefixes with a negative meaning:

perfect - imperfect

fortunately - unfortunately

appear - disappear

2. The prefix re-, the meaning of which is “again”, “again” (corresponds to the prefix re- in Russian):

3. The prefix miss-, the meaning of which is “incorrect”:

understand - missunderstand

3. Prefix pre-, the meaning of which is “before”, “before”:

hystory - prehystory

4. The prefix inter-, the meaning of which is “among”, “between”:

national - international

5. Prefix ex-, the meaning of which is “former”:

president - expresident

6. Prefix sub-, the meaning of which is “under”:

divide - subdivide

7. The prefix ultra-, the meaning of which is “over”, “ultra”:

light - ultralight

It should also be noted that in the English language there are a great many prefixes that have completely or partially lost their true meaning. Such words are often not divided and are not perceived by a person as a unit with a prefix: discuss, refuse, repeat, and so on.

Cases of stress in compound words

Compound words are words that have two different roots. There are several ways to spell these words:

Hyphenated;

Separately.

But, despite this, in semantic terms they are one whole. In Russian there are also compound words: blue-yellow, plane, fireproof, and so on.

For the most part, the stress in compound words should fall on the first part:

But there can also be two stresses equal to each other at once:

If both parts of a compound word are adjectives, then they will also have two stresses:

A verb followed by a postpositional adverb also always has the same stress. This is explained by the fact that the postposition itself changes the meaning of the verb:

Pronunciation of vowel sounds in the third or fourth type of syllable

As we already know, the pronunciation of a stressed vowel directly depends on the type of syllable. And the type of syllable, in turn, can be determined by which letters follow the stressed vowel.

If the syllable type is third, then after the stressed vowel there is the letter r. In this case, the vowels are read as long sounds. Eg:

corner - [`kɔ:nə]

turn - [tə:n]

If the syllable type is fourth, then after the vowel there is the letter r, and after it there is a vowel. Accordingly, we read vowel sounds in word types such as diphthongs or three-term components. Eg:

fire - [faiə]

tyrant - [`taiərənt]

There are some notes though:

1. The letter u, located after the sounds [r, dʒ] in the fourth type of syllable, we always read as [uə]:

jury - [`dʒuəri].

2. If a word contains two letters r at once, then we read the vowel located in front of them as a closed syllable:

hurry - [`hʌri].

Phrase stress

Phrase stress is the emphasis by voice on individual words in a phrase or sentence. Compared to the English language, the Russian language does not have such a pronounced emphasis on words - after all, the stress falls on almost every word. Our speech seems more fluent. But in the English language there is a peculiar alternation of unstressed and stressed syllables, which gives the sentence the necessary rhythm. And although our language also has quite a large number of complex words, the rhythm of sentences is not as prominent as in the case of English sentences. If we pronounce English speech, based on Russian rules, then our reading will seem like reading syllables. That is why it is so necessary to know all the features and rules of phrasal stress in the English language.

Parts of speech in English that can be stressed:

Nouns

The `teacher is in `classroom.

Adjectives

The table is `red.

Numerals

Adverbs

Semantic verbs

I `want to `be your boyfriend.

Interrogative and demonstrative pronouns

`When will you come?

`This is a pencil.

Unstressed words in English are:

Possessive and personal pronouns

Give`me`yourpen.

Articles

`The notebook is red.

Your cake is good, `but I like candies.

Particles

I want `to see you again.

Prepositions

We will go `to Paris.

Verb to be

He to be is a good driver.

Modal verbs

I`can speak Spanish rather good.

Auxiliary verbs

Sometimes modals and auxiliary verbs can also be stressed. This happens in the following cases:

At the end of a syntagm and a sentence in the position after an unstressed syllable:

I know who you`are.

In short negative forms:

I `can't give it to you.

In answers to general questions:

First a general question:

`Are you serious?

If the negative form is complete, then only the particle will be stressed, but not the verb:

I don't like you!

In English, any stress is indicated on letters by the symbol "`", which is placed immediately before the stressed syllable.

Logical stress

In addition to phrasal and verbal stress, which exist in a sentence on a permanent basis, in the English language there is also logical stress - this is also the highlighting of a certain word in a sentence more strongly than others using stress. This type of stress is used to somehow contrast one word with another, as well as to enhance the meaning of the word. Example:

I saw this picture.

In this case, we contrast “I” with other pronouns “You” and “You”.

Based on the fact that logical stress goes beyond the boundaries of simple phrasal stress, we can make sure that exactly the word that would be unstressed in another situation is highlighted in a sentence - for example, an article, a preposition, and so on.

She sit "on chair not "on the bed.

It should be noted that within one sentence there can be exactly as many variants of logical stress as there are words in it. In this case, everything will depend on which word you want to highlight talking man, and this, accordingly, depends on the purpose of the utterance.

English alphabet

There are 26 letters in the English language, which can represent 48 sounds in writing.

A [ei] Nn [en]

Bb [bi:] Oo [ou]

Cc [si:] Pp [pi:]

Dd[ di: ] Qq [ kju: ]

Ee[ i: ] Rr [ a: ]

Ff[ ef ] Ss [ es ]

Gg[ dʒi: ] Tt [ ti: ]

Hh[eitʃ]Uu[ju:]

Ii [ai] Vv [vi:]

Jj[ dʒei ] Ww [ `dʌbl `ju: ]

Kk[ kei ] Xx [ eks ]

Ll[el]Yy[wai]

Mm[ em ] Zz [ zed ]

Phonetic transcription

If you do not yet know the English alphabet, then first of all you need to learn all 26 letters and learn to read them correctly. Phonetic transcription is a graphic representation of sounds, each of which is necessarily written in square arches.

In general, each language has a certain number of sounds that make up words. We hear sounds in human speech, and letters are used in writing.

The sound composition is extremely irregular - it is constantly changing. In contrast, the graphic representation of words almost never changes. Another difference between the pronunciation of sounds and their graphic representation is that there are 44 sounds in the English language, and the Latin alphabet used in the language has only 26 letters. That is why the same letter can have several sound variations, depending on its position in the word. In order to simplify the study of the English language, phonetic transcription is used, in other words, a graphic display system in which each sound has a corresponding graphic sign. Below are graphic symbols to represent the sounds of the English language.

Vowels:

[ɔi] - cowboy

[juə] - Europe

[aiə] - empire

Consonants:

[ʒ] - treasure

Classification of sounds in English

In English, sounds are divided according to the following criteria.

Vowel sounds(English vowels) are those sounds that are classified as pure musical tone. The air that passes through the vocal cords when speaking vibrates. The oral cavity is wide open, so there are no barriers to air - air passes freely. In this case, muscle tension is evenly distributed throughout the speech apparatus.

Unlike vowel sounds, during pronunciation consonant sounds(English consonants) exhaled air encounters a partial or complete barrier, and its friction against the walls of the barrier creates the very noise that is a distinctive feature of consonant sounds. When pronouncing sonants and voiced consonants, the vocal cords vibrate, but in the case of voiceless sounds they are not involved and do not take part in articulation. Muscle tension is concentrated specifically at the site of the obstruction. The width of the passage directly affects the intensity of the noise - the larger the gap, the weaker the sound. Those consonant sounds during the pronunciation of which the voiced component exceeds the noise are called sonorous(or sonants), yet other sounds are called noisy.

The English language has twenty-four consonant sounds (seven of them are sonorant), and twenty vowel sounds.

Rhythmic groups

A rhythmic group is a rather small (when compared with a semantic group) unit of division of the flow of speech, unique to the English language. The basis of any rhythmic group is the stressed syllable. It should be noted that in English there are two or more semantic groups in one sentence. Accordingly, in each semantic group there is exactly the same number of rhythmic groups as there are stressed syllables located in it. It turns out that the rhythmic group is just one stressed syllable and all those unstressed syllables that belong to it.

When unstressed syllables are located before the stressed syllable, they are called pre-stressed. And when unstressed syllables are found after a stressed syllable, they are called unstressed. For example, in the sentence "Take that" there is only one rhythmic group, which consists of one overstressed syllable and one stressed syllable.

And the sentence “I `couldn’t `tell you about it `then” consists of three rhythmic groups:

1. "I couldn't"

3. "about it `then".

The first of them contains one stressed and one pre-stressed syllable; in the second group - one overstressed and one stressed syllable; in the third group - one stressed syllable and three pre-stressed syllables.

Each of the rhythmic groups is articulated together, without any pauses, as if it were one word that consists of several syllables. Unstressed words must be pronounced at the same time as the stressed word, regardless of their number. Example:

Yoy can't left `him.

According to the amount of time spent on pronunciation, three unstressed words are equal to one stressed word "left".

Consonant sounds. Classification

If, during articulation of air, the flow encounters an obstacle in the oral cavity and, breaking it, passes through the gap, then such sounds are called consonants. The main difference between such sounds and vowel sounds is that when air is decelerated through certain parts of the articulatory apparatus, noise occurs.

There are different principles for classifying consonant sounds in English. The criteria for separating these sounds can be as follows:

Active organs of articulation and place of obstruction;

The method of noise generation and the location of the obstacle;

Superiority of the musical component or noise;

The number of foci making up the noise.

Taking into account the functioning vocal cords, then all consonant sounds can be divided into voiced and voiceless. The strength of the air flow and the level of muscle tension are much higher when articulating voiceless consonants, so the term from Latin language"fortis", that is, "strong". When articulating voiced consonants, all these indicators are significantly lower, so the term “lenis”, that is, weak, is used to designate such sounds.

Some of the consonant sounds are contrasted, for example, [t] and [d]. Other sounds, such as [r], [h], [l], [w], [m], [n], do not have their own pairs.

Depending on the position of the active organs of articulation relative to the place of obstruction, consonant sounds can be divided into labial, lingual or pharyngeal. Labials, accordingly, can also be divided into labiolabial and labiodental.

Lingual sounds are divided into back-lingual, middle-lingual and front-lingual. When articulating anterior lingual vowels, the front part of the tongue touches various parts soft palate. According to this principle, sounds are also divided into interdental, alveolar, posterior alveolar and palatal-alveolar consonant sounds. The middle lingual consonant sound [j] is formed as a result of the middle part of the tongue touching the hard palate.

Rear lingual consonants, namely [k], [g], [N], appear after bringing the posterior lobe of the tongue to the hard palate. There is also a pharyngeal consonant sound ([h]), which is formed in the pharynx.

The famous philologist L.V. Shcherba proposed to designate certain provisions of the language with the following terms:

Apical position - the upper part of the tongue is directed upward;

Kakuminal structure - the upper part of the tongue is moved away from the alveoli, and its middle part is directed downward;

Dorsal structure - the upper part of the tongue is lowered, and its middle part touches the hard palate.

It should also be noted that if, during the formation of a consonant, the sound exceeds noise, then noisy consonants appear, and if the musical component exceeds, then sonants appear. Frictional, as well as occlusive-frictional consonant sounds can have either one or two obstructions in their articulation. According to this principle, they are divided into single-focus and bifocal consonant sounds.

There are a total of twenty-four consonant phonemes in the English language.

Vowel sounds. Classification

Many famous researchers of English phonetics from different countries tried to somehow classify vowel sounds. All proposed classifications differed significantly from each other, because they were based on different principles: the complexity of the sound structure, the position of the tongue or lips, brevity or longitude. Below are the main criteria by which vowel sounds can be classified:

By stability of pronunciation;

According to the horizontal position of the tongue;

According to the vertical position of the tongue;

By their longitude;

By the position of the lips;

By the strength of articulation at the end of pronouncing sounds;

According to the degree of tension of the speech organs.

If we divide all vowel sounds according to the horizontal position of the tongue during articulation, we get something like this:

Front sounds ([x], [e] and, as well as diphthongs and);

Sounds of the front row moved back ([I], as well as diphthongs and );

Mixed vowel sounds ([q], [A] and [W]);

Back row sounds shifted forward ([u] and [a:], as well as diphthongs and);

Back sounds ([L] and [O], as well as diphthong).

During the articulation of sounds of the first two groups, the tongue is raised towards the hard palate and alveoli. To pronounce mixed vowel sounds, the back of the tongue rises evenly. To articulate the last two groups, the tongue rises towards the soft palate.

Also, all vowel sounds can be divided according to the degree of vertical elevation of the tongue, then we get the following classification:

High pitch sounds (, [u], [i] and );

Mid-rise sounds (, , [q], [W] and [e]);

Low rise sounds ([R] [O], , [a:], [au], [A], and [x]).

In addition, all these subclasses can also be divided into wide and narrow options:

High lift in a narrow version ( and );

Wide option ([u] and [I]);

Medium rise in narrow version (, [W] and [e]);

Wide option ([q], [L] and );

Low rise in narrow version ( and [A]);

Wide variant (, [аu], [x], [а:] and [O]).

According to the position of the lips during articulation, all vowel sounds can be divided into unrounded and rounded.

In addition, when classifying sounds, their duration can be taken into account. Then vowel sounds are divided into:

Short monophthongs ([A], [q], [O], [u], [e], [x] and [i]);

Long monophthongs ([R], [W] and [L]);

Diphthongs (, , , , , , and [аu]);

Diphthongoids ( and ).

Monophthongs are those vowel sounds during the pronunciation of which all speech organs are completely motionless. Diphthongs are vowel sounds, during the articulation of which there is a smooth transition from one arrangement of the speech organs to another, because all the elements of a diphthong are one full-fledged phoneme. The first element of each diphthong is the nucleus, and the second is the glide. In this case, the emphasis constantly falls on the core.

Diphthongoids are special vowel sounds of the English language, when pronounced, there is a subtle change in the position of the speech organs from one element to the next, because all elements of diphthongoids are very similar in the method and nature of articulation. This type of sounds is considered intermediate - between monophthongs and diphthongs.

In general, the English language has twenty vowel phonemes: ten monophthongs, eight diphthongs and two diphthongoids.

In English, the length of sounds is not something static and unchanging. This is explained by the fact that there is a so-called positional longitude of sounds. In other words, the same vowel sounds can have different sound durations. This, in turn, depends on several factors at once: on the number of syllables in a word, on stress, on the position of a syllable in a word, and so on. If the syllable is final and stressed, then diphthongs and long vowels will have the greatest sound in this position. In the position before the sonorant sound their length will be slightly less, and before voiced and voiceless consonants - even less. In addition, unstressed sounds are shorter than stressed sounds.

We should also talk about the vowel sound [x]. The British claim that vowels in the position before a given sound have a longer duration than long vowels. Before voiced consonants, this feature is even more pronounced.

One more characteristic feature What distinguishes the English language from the Russian language is the so-called truncation. Truncated vowels are short sounds that are stressed in a syllable that ends in a voiceless sound. For example, or. This feature is explained by the fact that in this position, when pronouncing a vowel sound, weakened articulation is not observed. In addition, when approaching the end, the sound intensity does not decrease in any way. It’s just that a vowel sound is suddenly interrupted by a subsequent consonant sound. Untruncated vowel sounds in English are called diphthongs, unstressed vowels and long monophthongs. They can be in an open syllable at the end or in a closed syllable, which is located before a voiced consonant. Eg, .

Rules for pronunciation of combinations English sounds

In English, when pronouncing certain combinations of vowel sounds, or combinations of vowels and consonants, it is necessary to pay attention Special attention namely the transition from one phoneme to another. For successful articulation, you need to be able to relax your speech apparatus, in particular your lips and tongue. There are three stages in the formation of sound combinations:

Attack - movement of the organs of the articulatory apparatus and adoption of the starting position;

Exposure - the speech apparatus adheres to the accepted position for some time;

Indentation - relaxation of organs after the articulation process.

It should be noted that in the process of sound formation, all phases merge into a certain chain when the final phase is superimposed on initial phase next sound combination.

Assimilation, elision and adaptation

When phonemes are connected into unique chains, the speech apparatus adapts to a very rapid change in position for a more comfortable change from one articulation to another. In this process, even the sound quality itself can change. This is called assimilation, or assimilation.

Assimilation is a process when a consonant sound changes during the speech stream under the influence of a neighboring one, and it is noticed that one sound becomes similar to another. Articulation can be partial, when different variants of phonemes are present, and complete, when the sound is completely similar to the neighboring one.

When a consonant sound changes under the influence of a vowel sound, adaptation occurs. If, during careless speech, the articulation of a sound is not fully realized, then this process is called elision.

There are several types of assimilation:

Assimilation by direction;

Assimilation in accordance with the location of the obstacle;

Assimilation by lip work;

Assimilation by the method of noise generation.

The first type of assimilation is divided into three subtypes:

Regressive;

Progressive;

Double assimilation.

When the direction of assimilation is progressive, the previous sound affects the subsequent one. For example, in the word "style" the sound [t] lost its aspiration under the influence of the previous fricative sound [s].

In regressively directed assimilation, the previous sound affects the subsequent one. For example, in the word seventh the sound [n] became dental under the influence of the consonant sound [T].

During mutual assimilation, both sounds that are nearby mutually influence each other, conveying some of the features of their articulation. For example, in the word “twin” the consonant [t] is slightly rounded, and the sound [w] is deafened.

Combination of voiceless and voiced consonants

If a word contains a voiced consonant after a voiced consonant, then it does not affect it, that is, it does not muffle it:

Also, a voiceless consonant does not become more voiced under the influence of the next voiced consonant:

But there are some exceptions. Sounds such as [r], [l], and [w] may be partially muted after plosive sounds. See for yourself:

In this case, the consonant sound [w] will be pronounced as if together with the previous consonant sound.

How stop consonants are combined

A combination of stop consonants in one place of formation: alveolar, labial and velar.

During the articulation of such a combination of sounds, the organs of the speech apparatus practically do not change their position when moving from one sound to another. In other words, there is no complete obstruction, and no explosion occurs at the boundary of two sounds. On at this stage the explosion is replaced by a dull or voiced pause. Therefore, it is the second sound that ends with an explosion:

I like green apples

A combination of plosive consonants in different places of formation.

When two stop sounds are adjacent, but from different places of formation, complete obstruction at the end of the articulation of the first phoneme occurs only when the speech apparatus is already prepared to pronounce the second sound. There is also a loss of explosion. Instead of this explosion, a ringing or dull pause appears. In addition, the length of this pause, necessary for “rebuilding” the articulatory apparatus, is much longer than in the above case:

For example, to pronounce labial and alveolar plosives, the tip of the tongue touches the alveoli until the lips close to articulate the following sound:

A combination of plosives and nasals.

If, when pronouncing two plosive sounds, instead of the first explosion there is a pause (the path for the air flow to exit is blocked), then when a plosive and nasal sound are combined, a so-called “nasal explosion” occurs. The complete obstruction disappears during the articulation of the nasal consonant, and the air flow leaves the oral cavity. Therefore, in order for a nasal explosion to occur, you should not remove the complete obstruction until you are ready to articulate the subsequent sound.

Stop making this

Combination of sonants with other consonants

Three sonants, which are combined with a noisy consonant sound, are capable of forming a syllable. That is why they are called sonants. It is worth noting that these sounds are not always able to form a syllable, but only in those cases when they are located in a final position out of stress after a noisy consonant sound or with a previous silent vowel sound that follows a noisy consonant.

Other sonorant sounds (such as) are not sonants, since they are not able to form syllables (even the sound [N], which is equal in duration to a sonant). This sound can only be articulated with the vowel sound that forms the syllable. And the sound [j] is pronounced only with a subsequent consonant sound, creating a syllable. The letter combinations wr and wh are always pronounced as a single consonant sound - [w], [h] or [r] - and each forms a syllable with only the following vowel sound. Examples:

Combination of plosive consonants with lateral sonant [l]

The combination of nasal and plosive consonants provides a path for airflow, which disappears when the obstruction of the first sound disappears through the nasal cavity. The same process can occur when combining the sounds kl, gl, pl, bl, tl and dl. After the first sound is pronounced, the obstacle has not yet closed, but the speech apparatus is already completely ready for the articulation of the sound [l]. After this, the obstacle opens and the air flow passes along the gap that has appeared between the tongue and the palate. This process is also called longitudinal explosion. After aspirating a voiceless consonant, the sound [l] is muffled, but only partially.

Muted:

Not muted:

In addition, combinations of sounds and in the position before stressed vowel sounds are pronounced together:

Semantic segments in a sentence

If a sentence is long enough, then a person simply physically cannot speak it in one breath, which is why it is divided into parts - the so-called semantic segments. A certain semantic segment can consist of one or several words, a simple common clause or a subordinate clause.

For example, take the sentence “This is the picture that Erica painted.” This sentence can have only two semantic parts - “This is a picture” and “which Erica painted” ( subordinate clause). But if we begin to divide each semantic group into further segments, then this may violate the entire meaning of this sentence. It should be noted that dividing any sentence into segments directly depends on the speed at which we pronounce it. If we say “This is the picture that Erica painted” quickly enough, then there will be absolutely no need to divide it into segments.

At the border of two semantic groups there are pauses, which also play an important role. To graphically display such pauses, special icons | are used, which are placed after the last word of the semantic segment.

We all remember the Soviet cartoon and the phrase “You can’t pour water on soup.” In this sentence, a semantic pause can be placed both after the word “impossible” and after the word “soup”. And the difference between these two proposals will be simply huge!

Pour over soup | cannot be watered.

You can't pour soup on | water.

Separating semantic groups in writing is done using commas, but this does not happen in all cases. This is especially true for the English language, where the placement of punctuation marks follows completely different laws.

Sounds in English

Vowel sounds

Pronunciation of vowel sounds in English

The good news is that the English language only has six vowels. But these six letters can convey as many as twenty-two vowel sounds (this is not such good news, but there is still a chance to learn them). All sounds of the English language, in particular vowels, differ significantly from the sounds of the Russian language. And if consonant sounds determine how well English-speaking citizens will understand you, then vowel sounds will tell them about the speaker's accent (British, American, etc.). Our person, speaking Russian, is not able to hear the obvious difference between vowel sounds precisely because in his native language there are no analogues. In order to pronounce them correctly, you need to additionally train your articulatory apparatus - repeat these same sounds many times. It is quite difficult for an ordinary person to distinguish these sounds by ear, therefore, first of all, it is necessary to learn how to pronounce them correctly. In principle, this is where learning English begins.

Basic rules for correct pronunciation of English sounds:

Correct articulation is needed, that is, the correct position of the organs of the articulatory apparatus and their specific movements;

If the articulation is correct, then you need to correctly pronounce this or that sound. It is recommended to do this by checking your pronunciation with speech standards;

You need to repeat it until you get it right. The most important thing here is training;

If it doesn’t work out, train some more!

English sound [i:]. Pronunciation

In English, this sound is considered a diphthongized monophthong (a rather complex name). This is a long vowel sound.

The length of the sound is a very important detail of pronunciation, since an English-speaking person can easily determine how long the sound you are pronouncing is. In addition, it is the length of the vowel sound that can radically change the semantic meaning of a word (both for the listener and for the speaker).

The articulation of this sound can be explained approximately as follows: the sound originates in the depths of the mouth, and then moves from there forward and slightly upward. In other words, a sound consists of two similar (but by no means identical) sounds, smoothly flowing from one sound to another. At the end of the articulation of the sound, the middle of the tongue rises high.

If we draw an analogy with the Russian language, then this sound is very reminiscent of our “I”:

In writing, this sound is conveyed by the letter “E” if it is followed by a consonant sound, and then by a silent “e”; also - using a combination of letters ea, ee, ei, ie. There is one exception - key - [ki:].

English sound [i]. Pronunciation

This sound of the English language is pronounced briefly, easily and abruptly, without any tension. The position of the tongue during articulation is almost the same as in the case of the sound [i:], only the lips are somewhat stretched and almost passive. In the position before the consonant sounds [m, n, l], this sound becomes slightly longer, and in the position before the voiceless consonant sounds it is pronounced very briefly.

[kritik] - critic

Designation of the sound [i] in writing:

The letter "I" if it is followed by one or more consonants.

kiss, sit, kid, big.

The sound “E”, which is in an unstressed position in a word.

English sound [e]. Pronunciation

When articulating this sound, the mouth is slightly open, the lips are slightly stretched or completely passive, most of the tongue is moved to the front of the mouth, and its tip is located near the lower teeth. All consonants that are in position before a given sound are never softened.

text - [ text ]

In writing, this sound is denoted by the letter “E,” but only in cases where it is followed by one or more consonant sounds.

English sound [æ]. Pronunciation

In English, the sound [æ] is more open than the previous sound [e]. When articulating this sound, the middle lobe of the tongue is slightly raised, the lower jaw is lowered, the lips are completely neutral, and the tip of the tongue touches the lower teeth. All consonants that are in a word before a given sound are never softened.

If we compare this sound with the Russian alphabet, then we simply do not have an analogue.

lamp - [læmp]

plan - [plæn]

The sound [æ] is represented in writing using the letter “A”, which is read as [æ] only in cases where it is followed by one or more consonant sounds.

Differences in pronunciation between the sounds [æ] and [e]

Despite the fact that both these sounds are short, the difference in their pronunciation lies precisely in the degree of openness. For example, the sound [æ] is very short sound, during the articulation of which the tongue is positioned in such a way that it is in as flat a state as possible, while the lower jaw is dropped quite low. On the contrary, when articulating the vowel sound [e], the jaw is practically not lowered, the jaw moves right up to the base of the lower teeth, and the lips are somewhat stretched.

Englishsound[ʌ]. Pronunciation

This English sound is short. When articulating, the tongue is in almost the same position as when silent, but its middle lobe is slightly raised and touches the soft palate. In this case, the lips compress slightly, and the distance between the jaws is quite large.

Due to the fact that this sound is truncated, it is pronounced with some tension.

The consonant sound [ʌ] is expressed in writing in several ways:

Using the letter u, followed by one or several consonants;

Using the letter o and the consonants v, th, m, n.

English sound [a:]. Pronunciation

This sound of the English language is open, drawn-out. During its articulation, the tongue is pulled back to some extent from the teeth and is located low in the mouth, its root is pressed (just as during a medical examination by a doctor). The mouth is slightly open and the lips are passive.

spark - [ spa:k ]

after - [a:ftə]

In writing, this sound is conveyed in several ways:

Using a combination of letters a and r;

Also by using the letter a placed before nt, th and f;

Using the combination a-s - any consonant sound.

The only exception in this case is the word "aunt".

English sound [o]. Pronunciation

This English sound is short and open. When articulating, the upper lip is slightly raised and the lower lip touches the teeth. In this case, the lower jaw drops strongly down, the tongue is located low in the mouth, and its tip is located at some distance from the teeth.

In order to learn how to pronounce this sound correctly, you need to open your mouth in the same way as when articulating the vowel sound [A], but your lips are slightly rounded.

office - [ɔfis]

The English sound is [ɔ:]. Pronunciation

When articulating this sound, the lips are very rounded, but, unlike the pronunciation of the Russian sound O, they are not stretched at all. In this case, the root of the tongue is pressed down, and the tip of the tongue is located at some distance from the teeth. The lower jaw drops.

This sound is pronounced protractedly.

horn - [hɔ:n]

already - [ ɔ:redi ]

English sound [u]. Pronunciation

This English consonant is short. When articulated, the lips are slightly rounded, and the tip of the tongue is somewhat lowered and distant from the teeth. The tongue is pulled back, and its posterior lobe touches the soft palate, but not as far or high as when pronouncing the Russian sound U.

This sound must be pronounced briefly, without any tension.

Englishsound[u:]. Pronunciation

This English sound is considered a diphthong. Its articulation differs at different stages of pronunciation: the beginning of the sound is more open than its end. When pronouncing, the tongue moves slightly back, rising upward. When the articulation of sound ends, the tongue is at the very top, touching the soft palate, and the lips are slightly rounded, but not at all elongated.

This sound should be pronounced tensely and drawn out.

goose - [gu:s]

The English sound is [ə:]. Pronunciation

When articulating this sound, the entire tongue is slightly raised, its surface is flat, the lips are tense and somewhat stretched. In this case, the teeth are exposed, and the distance between the jaws is quite small.

This sound is pronounced without much tension.

It should be noted that the British pronounce this sound (or a sound as close as possible to it) in cases where they do not know what to say.

girl - [gə:l]

bird - [bə:d]

The sound [ə:] is expressed in writing in several ways:

Using the vowels u, y, e and i when followed by the consonant r;

Using a combination of ear and consonant sound.

The English sound is [ə]. Pronunciation

In English (as well as in Russian), vowel sounds are somewhat shortened in an unstressed position. This sound cannot be pronounced correctly separately from other sounds, since it is always out of stress.

In order to avoid mistakes when pronouncing it, you must constantly concentrate on the stressed vowel sound.

letter - [letə]

paper - [peipə]

Englishsound[ei]. Pronunciation

This sound is also a diphthong and combines two different sounds- [i] and [e]. The entire sound is pronounced completely together, without any pauses. The main element of sound (also called the core) [e] is always in the stressed position. The second part (or slide) is always in a weak position.

table - [teibl]

English sound [ai]. Pronunciation

This sound is a diphthong. When articulating the first element of this sound - [a] - the tongue rests on the lower teeth, it is located quite low in the oral cavity. At the same time, both its anterior and posterior parts rise to the hard palate.

In writing, the sound [ai] can be expressed in several ways:

Using the letter i, if followed by a consonant, and then a silent e;

Using the sound y, located at the end of a monosyllabic word (then it is read as [ai]);

Before combinations of the letters gh, nd and ld, the sound і is also read as [ai].

English sound [ɔi]. Pronunciation

This is a diphthongized sound of the English language. It combines two elements - [i] and [o]. When articulated, the lips are in a neutral position. The most important point in this case is that the first element of the sound should be pronounced without any participation of the lips, and the second element turned into a kind of Russian Y.

voice - [vɔis]

poison - [pɔizn]

Using the combination of letters oi;

Using the combination of letters oy.

English sound [au]. Pronunciation

This sound combines two elements - [a] and [u]. When articulating the first element, the front part of the tongue rests on the lower teeth, and the tongue is located very low in the mouth (while its front and back parts are raised towards the palate). As for the sound [u], it is pronounced somewhat indistinctly.

brown - [braun]

There are several options for transmitting this sound in writing:

Using the combination of letters ou;

Using a combination of letters ow.

In this case, the only exceptions are the words country and cousin.

The English sound is [uə]. Pronunciation

This sound also consists of two different elements. When articulating this sound, the lips are slightly rounded, but in no way stretched.

The second element is pronounced somewhat indistinctly.

There is also another variety of this sound - [juə], in which the sound [j] is pronounced like the Russian “th”.

cruel - [kruəl]

surely - [ʃuəli]

usually - [ju:ʒuəli]

Englishsound[iə]. Pronunciation

This English sound, like some previous ones, consists of two different elements. It is necessary to know that any consonant sound in front of it is never softened.

appear - [əpiə]

There are several options for transmitting this sound in written form:

Using the letter e followed by an r and then a vowel;

Using the combination of letters ear;

Using the letter combination eer.

The English sound is [ɛə]. Pronunciation

This English sound is also considered a diphthong, that is, it combines two different sounds. In this sound, the open sound [e] transitions quite smoothly into its neutral version.

were - [wɛə]

staircase - [stɛəkeis]

There are several options for rendering this diphthong in writing:

Using the combination of letters a+r+e;

Using the combination of letters air;

Using a combination of letters eir, but exclusively in one word - their.

Consonants

English sound [m]. Pronunciation

The articulation of this sound is very close to the Russian sound M, but there is one difference: when pronouncing the English sound, the lips are closed somewhat more tightly.

It belongs to stop consonants, since during its articulation the organs of the speech apparatus close and then open.

English sounds [p, b]. Pronunciation

The sound of these consonants is very similar to the sound of the Russian sounds B and P, but the difference between them is that the English versions are pronounced with some aspiration. In other words, during articulation, the lips are first in a closed position and then suddenly open.

It should also be noted that the combination of letters ph is often read as [f].

photo - [ `foutou ]

English sound [f]. Pronunciation

If we compare this sound with the Russian F, it is pronounced somewhat more energetically. Refers to the stop consonants of the English language.

photo - [ `foutou ].

English sound [v]. Pronunciation

This sound is pronounced in the same way as the Russian B, but has one difference: when articulating at the end of the sound, deafening does not occur. Also refers to stop consonants.

English sounds [t, d]. Pronunciation

The articulation of these sounds also resembles the articulation of the Russian consonants T and D, but the difference between them is that the English sounds are pronounced with some aspiration. In addition, these sounds are never softened before a vowel or at the end of a word. It should also be mentioned that the unvoiced sound [t] both at the beginning and at the end of a word is pronounced more energetically.

English consonants [n, l, s, z]. Pronunciation

The articulation of these sounds is practically no different from the articulation of their Russian variants. When pronouncing, the upper part of the tongue rises to the alveoli, and the air flow passes between them.

visit - ["visit]

It is also necessary to mention that there are several options for transmitting sounds [s, z] in writing:

Using the letters Ss or Zz;

Using the combination of letters ss;

Using the letters Cc in position before some vowels.

English sound [w]. Pronunciation

The articulation of this English sound is reminiscent of the Russian sound U, but differs in that the lips are somewhat rounded and move forward slightly.

Eg:

English sound [θ]. Pronunciation

This sound has no corresponding analogue in our language. This sound is dull. When articulating, the tongue completely relaxes, and its front part, in combination with the tips of the teeth, creates a narrow gap, slightly pressing against each other. The exhaled air passes strongly through this gap. In this case, the tip of the tongue should not protrude beyond the upper teeth or touch them too tightly, since a completely different sound may be obtained - [t]. The teeth should be exposed, in particular the upper ones, but the lower lip should not touch them.

thick - [θik]

Timothy - [timəθi]

There is only one option for displaying this sound in written form - using a combination of letters th:

In some pronouns;

At the end of a word in the position before the letter e;

Also, if this sound at the end of a numeral forms ordinal numbers.

English sound [ð]. Pronunciation

The articulation of this sound is very similar to the articulation of the previous sound [θ] - all organs of the articulatory apparatus occupy approximately the same position. The only difference can be considered that the sound [ð] is voiced.

When pronouncing this sound, you should remember that the lips are in no way obliged to touch.

Just like the previous one, this sound is displayed in written form using a combination of letters th:

In the article the;

In some pronouns.

Difference in pronunciation between the sounds [θ] - [s] - [t]

Due to the fact that in our language there is no such sound as [θ], some are trying to replace it with [s] or [t], which can lead to a complete change in the semantics of the word. After all, [θ] is interdental, that is, during its articulation, the front part of the tongue is located between the teeth. The vowels [t, s], on the contrary, are alveolar.

sick - [sik] and thick - [θik]

First of all, a diphthong is a complex sound consisting of two vowels pronounced together as one. The first part of a diphthong is called the nucleus. It is strong, pronounced clearly and for a long time. The other part is called sliding.

The sound, which is a glide, also has an independent form, but in a diphthong the place of articulation (pronunciation) of the sound is not fully reached by the speech organs.

This part is weak, not very clear, only the direction towards the sound. As mentioned earlier, and as can be judged by the names of the diphthong parts, the transition from the main part to the secondary part is sliding, smooth, but still consistent with a clear English rhythm.

There are 8 diphthongs in English:

• three of them slide to the neutral sound [ə], called schwa by phonetists - , , .
• Three “close” to high i – , , [ɔɪ].
• The glide element of two diphthongs is [u], which gives them a slight labialization - , [əu].

Diphthong

Example words:

• claim ;
• game;
• K ;
• pain;
• day.

Pronouncing the diphthong:

1. The core of the diphthong is pronounced in the front part of the articulatory apparatus, almost in the same place as the sound [e] (pet).
2. The mass of the tongue is directed towards the hard palate, but not raised high, the lips are slightly stretched to the sides, but not rounded.
3. Compared to the similar Russian sound [e], during the pronunciation of the diphthong nucleus the tongue is moved more towards the teeth.
4. Then the tongue rises higher, to the hard palate, to the place where the sound [i] (sit) is pronounced, the lips stretch a little more.

But it is important to ensure that instead of an English vowel sound, a Russian voiceless fricatav [y] is not pronounced; moreover, the articulation of a pure [i] is also not achieved (the front row is practically where [i] is of high rise, slightly lower than Russian).

Depending on the strength of the consonant following the diphthong, it can be:

• shorter (late- consonant voiceless = strong) or
• longer (gain- voiced consonant, may-final position), but all modulations are performed due to the longitude of the nuclear element, the glide remains weak and short.

Diphthong

Example words:

• crime;
• fly ;
• pie;
• pride;
• wine.

Pronouncing the diphthong:

Diphthong [ɔɪ]

Example words:

• toy;
• enjoy;
• oil[ɔɪl].

Pronouncing the diphthong:

• The nucleus is slightly labialized. The mass of the tongue is pulled back as far as possible, and in height is between Russian [o] and short English [ɔ] (pot).
• The lips are rounded, but not as much as for the Russian sound and are not elongated.
• When sliding, the lower jaw rises even higher, the lips stretch slightly.
• The second stage of pronouncing the diphthong [i] is so weak and incomplete that sometimes it does not reach its position and is more similar to the neutral [ə], especially when the syllable ends with a consonant.

Diphthong

Example words:

• near ;
• serious [‘siriəs];
• gear.

Pronouncing the diphthong:

• At the beginning of articulation, the tongue is in the front of the articulatory apparatus, quite close to the hard palate, as when pronouncing pure [i].
• The diphthong slides in the direction of the seam [ə], that is, the tongue lowers and is pulled back a little.

What’s remarkable is that the sound is pronounced quite clearly. In the unstressed position ([‘siriəs]), the length of the secondary element is even greater than the core, due to the specifics of the English rhythm. In the striking position, the sliding sound sometimes becomes too open and more like a [ʌ](stuck) sound.

Diphthong

Example words:

• care;
• fair ;
• scare;
• swear;
• prepare.

Pronouncing the diphthong:

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Diphthong

Example words:

• poor ;
• sure[ʃuə].

Pronouncing the diphthong:

• The core of a diphthong is the sound [u](put). When pronouncing it, the tongue is raised quite high, but in the horizontal plane the body of the tongue is much closer to the teeth than during the articulation of the Russian sound [у] (back row of high rise), almost where [ы].
• Another feature is easy labialization. The lips are rounded, but not elongated.
• The slide occurs towards the neutral position of the speech apparatus, towards the sound [ə], which is pronounced as clearly as its neutral nature allows.

Modern standards for teaching phonetics require the study of sound, but in fact today many letter combinations in the English language that previously conveyed this sound are now read as [ɔ:] (warm). This is a long, tense, double-peaked vowel of the middle back row (the back of the tongue is lowered a little lower than for pronouncing Russian [o]. However, rare words like moor, dour, lure are still read as standard.

Diphthong

Example words:

• town;
• crown ;
• loud ;
• wow.

Pronouncing the diphthong:

• The nucleus of a diphthong is classified in the same way as the nucleus, but the tongue is actually slightly closer to the teeth when it is pronounced.
• To achieve this, you need to stretch your lips quite a bit. In terms of the level of rise (the volume is greater than for the Russian sound [a]) it occupies the same position.
• At the first stage of pronouncing the diphthong, the distance between the jaws is quite large, and at the second, the lower jaw approaches the upper jaw closer.
• In the process of sliding towards the sound [u] (not as back as [u]), the tongue rises to the upper palate, and the lips are slightly rounded, but still not extended. In the stressed position it has the same modifications in length as other diphthongs, which are achieved due to the time of pronunciation of the nucleus.

Diphthong [əu]

Example words:

• only[‘əunli];
• coat;
• comb.

Pronouncing the diphthong:

• Oddly enough, the beginning of the pronunciation of the diphthong falls not on the neutral sound [ə], but on a slightly more open sound - [ə:] (early).
• Historically, the diphthong began as a more posterior labialized sound [ɔ], but then moved forward. The lips continued to be one of the organs of articulation of sound, but now slightly stretched.
• During the pronunciation process, not only the tongue and jaw rise higher, but the lips also become slightly rounded.
• Sliding occurs towards the sound [u], but is not completely achieved. When pronouncing this sound, the corners of the mouth move down slightly, giving the face a sad expression.

Top 3 mistakes in pronouncing English diphthongs

The most common mistakes language learners make are:

1. Replacing a diphthong with a long vowel. It is true that a stressed diphthong behaves in the English rhythm system like a long vowel: it is longer than an unstressed one, no matter what type of vowel the latter is represented by. But the sounds themselves have a meaningful function, so it is worth paying enough attention to the pronunciation of the sliding element, despite the fact that it remains weak. (Compare: soup/soap, fear/fee)
2. Replacing English vowels with Russian ones. The articulation of English and Russian sounds is noticeably different. When replacing open English [a] with a less voluminous Russian equivalent, a more anterior [u] with a back-lingual [u], a high [e], with a lower, relaxed [e], in the articulation of which the lips and diphthong also do not take part not only is it pronounced incorrectly, but it is not heard as a diphthong at all. For an English ear unaccustomed to Russian sounds, an incorrectly pronounced diphthong simply will not mean anything, which means the goal of communication will not be achieved. To correctly pronounce English sounds, it is worth maintaining a large volume of the articulatory apparatus (oral cavity) and paying sufficient attention to the participation of the lips (Compare: claim / brand [kl’eymo], aura / shout [ʃaut])
3. Replacing the high sound [i] with the Russian fricative [th]. This should have been included as a separate item, since Russian-speaking students often pronounce [ay], [ey], [oi] instead of , , [ɔɪ]. The fact is that in the English language system there is no such fricative sound at all. The corresponding [j] is pronounced with a much greater distance between the body of the tongue and the hard palate, and friction (friction of air passing between parts of the articulatory apparatus) is not created. Accordingly, Russian speech sounds at least strange to the ear of an Englishman. Therefore, it is worth making sure that the tongue does not occupy too high a position, so that some distance is maintained. This is achieved due to the general tension of the articulatory apparatus. (Compare: edge/cry, drink/pay)